Anecdotes (First Collection) Hardcover

Name: Anecdotes (First Collection) Hardcover
ISBN: 9787101115109

徐俊Zhonghua Book Company · ChinaDec 2021

4.3

Word count: 121K words
Chapters: 21
ISBN: 9787101115109

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Summary

We invited nearly twenty acclaimed contemporary writers, including Zhao Heng, Chen Tushou, Hu Wenhui, Yan Feng, and Tan Boniu, to train their focus on the people and events of the literary, scholarly, political, and artistic worlds over the past century and more. With meticulous verification and broad insight, they say what others have not, and the result is this volume, Miscellany (Volume One).

Editor's review

Published by Zhonghua Book Company and edited by Xu Jun (editor-in-chief) with Yan Xiaoxing as executive editor, The Anecdotes (Volume One) is a collection of scholarly essays focused on modern Chinese literature and history. Bringing together contributions from renowned scholars and researchers, the book covers personal anecdotes, textual criticism, and the recovery of historical details, presenting little-known episodes of history with scholarly rigor and vivid storytelling. Unlike the heft of traditional academic works, its style is light yet profound, grounded in solid historical sources while remaining highly readable—truly a case of "great history in small essays." For readers who love modern and contemporary history and cultural history, it offers fresh perspectives on the past, satisfying the desire for knowledge and the pleasure of reflection in fragmented reading. Most essays start from primary sources, with meticulous textual research and unhurried narration, reflecting the editors' philosophy of both inheriting and innovating the "anecdote" genre—namely, making historical narrative more accessible to ordinary readers' understanding and emotions while adhering to academic standards. Overall, this is an elegant volume that combines scholarly value with readability, suited for leisurely perusal and for feeling the warmth of history interwoven with humanistic sensibility.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Enthusiasts with a strong interest in anecdotes of modern Chinese literature and history
Readers who enjoy short historical essays and seek to expand their knowledge
Scholars and writers in the humanities and social sciences in need of inspiration and source material
General readers who wish to learn historical details in an accessible way and enhance their cultural literacy

Not a good fit for

Beginners seeking systematic, comprehensive general histories
Readers with no interest in modern Chinese history who prefer content in other fields

Reading tips

Dip in at random rather than reading cover to cover; start with figures or essays that interest you
Read alongside other historical works or biographies for cross-reference and deeper understanding
Take notes or mark passages to revisit the documentary leads and personal connections mentioned later

About the publisher

Zhonghua Book Company China · Founded in 1912

Zhonghua Book Company is a publisher known for collating ancient texts and academic publishing, with its output centered on Eastern philosophy, culture, classic works, art, and historical reading. Its library contains 532 titles, including Chen Shou's Records of the Three Kingdoms, Guo Qingfan's Collected Commentaries on Zhuangzi, the four-volume Chinese Literature: Four Great Classical Novels, and the two-volume Table of Seal and Clerical Script Forms from Qin, Han, Wei, and Jin. These titles span historical classics, commentaries on the philosophers, classical novels, and philological reference works. Representative authors include Chen Shou, Guo Qingfan, Wu Cheng'en, Shi Nai'an, Cao Xueqin, Luo Guanzhong, Xu Wenwu, and the Hanyu Dazidian character-form group, reflecting a focus on primary sources and scholarly editors. Its publishing character lies in combining authoritative editions and annotated texts with both accessible classics and specialized research. Public information on its fuller catalog is limited; this note describes only the directions evident in the library's holdings.

版权信息
天下一高吾许汝——为《兰亭》论辩五十周年而作
从溥雪斋到启功：松风画会旧事
江南遗梦似风烟——记黄裳与黄宗英
不够知己：温源宁与胡适交恶内幕
忆侯官严不党先生
金克木与沈仲章：难忘的影子（一）
陈寅恪第一次出国考——陈寅恪诗补笺之一节
梁鸿志的刺蒋诗及其他
翁一鹤的几种纪事诗
《石语》中人曾履川
钱锺书笔记中的晚清诗人掌故
我的爷爷严春阳
无处可寻的《铁窗百日记》——张季鸾首次系狱考
“文革”期间北京出题考教授小记
穆彰阿写真（一）
高罗佩的迷宫图，丁月湖的印香炉
木犀轩藏书两次夭折的售卖
艺林烟火录
“掌故”漫话
编后语

FAQ

How is this book different from ordinary history storybooks?

The book emphasizes the combination of scholarship and the essay style; all articles are based on reliable historical sources and rigorous research rather than fiction or popular retellings, focusing more on revealing the truth and complexity within historical details, with both depth and readability.

Is the content too specialized or difficult to understand?

Although it involves scholarly research, the writing strives to be vivid and accessible, so general readers can read it smoothly. Without specialized historical knowledge, you may find some figures and events unfamiliar, but this does not affect overall comprehension or enjoyment.

Are there more volumes in this series?

The Anecdotes series has published multiple volumes, with this being the first. Subsequent volumes continue a similar positioning and style; they can be read independently or collected as a series.

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About the author

徐俊 Author

Xu Jun: publicly available information is limited, and details such as nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background have not been clearly recorded. Judging from the thirteen works held in the collection, Xu Jun's writing centers mainly on anecdotal and historical themes. Representative works include the first through eighth volumes of the "Zhanggu" series, as well as "Cuiwei Quegu Ji (Zhonghua Book Company and Modern Academic Culture)". His works are often classified under classics, historical reading, and literary appreciation. They deal largely with modern academic culture, figures and their anecdotes, and book-world lore, with a tone that emphasizes documentary organization and narrative and carries a strong flavor of literary and historical essays. The continued publication of the "Zhanggu" volumes indicates a sustained commitment to writing and compiling in this field, offering readers accessible texts for understanding the threads of modern academic culture.